A France passenger, who caused a disturbance at Abuja Airport and confronted airport officials after being caught without a Nigerian visa, has been sedated and flown back to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The passenger, who arrived in Nigeria aboard an Air France flight two days ago, was denied entry upon the discovery that he had visited the country without the required visa.
His disruptive behaviour led to a security and diplomatic issue at the airport, prompting immigration officers to remove him from the Air France flight and restrict his access to the boarding area.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, shared an update on X on Friday, stating that the passenger had been sedated by medical personnel and returned to France.
Achimugu, who personally monitored the passenger’s departure, thanked the airport staff, especially the Abuja immigration commandant, Mr. Agada, for their efforts.
Achimugu said, “Examined by a doctor and placed on a sedative, the unruly French national has finally boarded an Air France flight to CDG, Paris.”
He continued, “I was physically present to witness his boarding at 10 pm on Thursday, along with the very capable terminal head, Miriam Anosike who did a yeoman’s job in this case, Ifueko Abdulmalik, and gallant men of the Nigeria Immigration Service.”
He also praised Mr. Agada for his cooperation: “I must mention that the Immigration Commander at the airport, Mr. Agada, was very cooperative. His willingness to collaborate was the glue that held all of this together.”
Achimugu further stated, “We advised the airline to let the cabin crew have some of the administered sedatives in case the passenger displays any disruptive behaviour during the course of the flight.”
He concluded with, “Kudos to both the NCAA, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Air France station manager who did an amazing job of attending to the passengers.”
